BIKE #02 Xelius Groupset Sram Force Headset: 1 1/8” (Top) 1 1/2” (Bottom)
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fraMe carbon-fibre BIKE #02 xElIus groupset sram force Headset: 1 1/8” (top) 1 1/2” (bottom) ON REVIEW seatpost: 31.6mm 570 ON REVIEW 154 136 187 500 839 73° Derailleur Clamp: 34.9mm 73° 90 590 lapierre 408 268 Words: shanE lovEjOy Bottom Bracket: 68mm (english) 998 *Maximum external circumference of tube. (Measurements as depicted on illustration.) The rear derailleur hanger slips over Subtle contours grace the rear A much larger contemporary- The low weight is noticeable on ascents and the the carbon dropout on the drive triangle. From this angle the frame styled head tube somehow doesn’t Xelius has good return through the bottom bracket, side providing good protection. The is almost traditional, but the stays overshadow the rest of the frame. feeling stable with each pedal stroke and providing non-drive side dropout has aluminium transition through a variety of Rubber cable plugs are cleanly no discernible loss of power. The more I rode, the washers bonded on both sides. profiles en route to the dropouts. implemented and eliminate buzz. more it became clear that it would be a great bike for someone who rides in areas with a lot of dead roads. Rather than feeling bogged down by sections of rough tar and chip the bike seemed to glide over it, taking it all in and not reverberating to the rider. Lapierre hits the sweet spot with the geometry on the Xelius; it feels light and manoeuvrable while climbing but the rear is planted when sprinting. There is some cable rattle from the internal routing in the top tube; this includes the cable outer and has no tight bends or kinks so brake performance is not hindered but, unfortunately, this makes the job of dampening any vibration noise difficult. Other than the small rattle issue the frame quality shines through even with the lower-end selection of parts – I’d find myself riding along compiling the perfect Xelius build in my head. That’s not to suggest that anything needs to be changed, but… If you wanted to make it so, this could be a seriously light bike. Even though the Ksyrium Elite Lapierre opts to buck the trend toward larger press-fit The cable exit is well protected by the composite plug Some bikes scream ‘Look at me!’ but then don’t to a Shimano Ultegra cassette and chain. Keeping to be a little slender – perhaps even unforgiving. My wheels are heavier and sit a few rungs down in bottom brackets and larger diameter axles in favour of a which also directs the cables neatly into the bottom offer much when ridden. Then there are the quiet the mix alive SRAM Rival brakes interrupt the appraisal was wrong; although a replacement saddle Mavic’s line-up they perform well on the road. If traditional threaded shell with GXP external bearing cups. bracket cable guide. The plug also spaces the cables deep achievers. For me, Lapierre resides in the latter Force ensemble; this could be a cost-cutting measure was prepared, to my surprise it was not needed weight is not a consideration there would be no This combination didn’t suffer from any noticeable lack of into the middle of the down tube to prevent any chance of category. We see these frame in the Tour de France but there is little (if any) drop in performance – and (except during the vibration test when longer rails reason to upgrade. They are a strong, well-tested stiffness, delivering a solid and comfortable ride. shift cables rattling inside the frame. every year but hype around the French brand seems they only add seven grams. Mavic’s Ksyrium Elite were needed). One of my colleagues has a theory design and there’s a suppleness that steel spokes almost non-existent. Despite the lack of spin the wheelset fits in well with the French marque and the that saddle design across the board has hit an provide that is difficult to recreate with aluminium. company has survived when others have faded wheels are known for reliability. It’s good to see a evolutionary point where shapes and construction But it’s nice to have a bike that you can improve if away. Lapierre has enjoyed success, developed a frame manufacturer do what it does best and leave are generally comfortable to most unless the rider you so desire and any high-end component would solid reputation in the global MTB market and, the specification to specialists. With bikes spec’d to a has a special requirement. After this issue’s ‘Round not look out of place on this frame. since 2002, has had bikes in the elite professional price point, generic components can be left wanting. Table’ (p.216), I’m coming around to this idea as, While I’m not usually a fan of ergonomic road ranks. The Xelius arrived in our office without Avoiding these makes it easier for us to off-load a while some were more comfortable than others, on handlebars, I was happily surprised by the Easton too much fanfare. Sometimes it happens with test component that’s been upgraded. That said, all the the whole all the saddles were perfectly fine. EC70 option. There are plenty of positions available bikes: while working at my desk and occasionally componentry that graces the Xelius, while not My first jaunt on the Xelius was a 40km ride with this bar. Being in the drops doesn’t break your glancing at the build taking shape, the look of a bike top-of-the-line, is considered and high quality. around the eastern suburbs of Sydney. After a short wrists and the slightly flat tops are a comfortable grows on me. As the Xelius approached completion The Xelius is designed with Lapierre race time adapting to the longer cranks I was on my way. place to rest your hands. It’s like Easton has tried to the package became more intriguing. geometry, while the less aggressive Sensium range This Lapierre has an easy, effortless feeling and make a hybrid of a traditional and an ergonomic Before testing a bike first impressions are limited offers similar quality in the performance/comfort responds well to any acceleration. Some bikes are bar – I think it’s a success. The diameter is big to the fiscal and aesthetic aspects. Initially the category. The Xelius benefits from Lapierre’s balanced but lack dynamics when pushed, but the enough to give confidence while descending but mish-mash of components drew some raised long-term involvement with the FDJ professional Xelius doesn’t suffer this affliction. It attacks doesn’t feel like you’re holding a couple of cans of eyebrows. On completion of the build, however, the team. This is the frame that Jérémy Roy rode to win corners with stability, accuracy and poise. soft drink. The angle of the drops is such that lever logic became clear: a 6,960g package for ($4,999) is the ‘super combative’ title at the 2011 Tour de France. This is a bike you get used to quickly and even reach is reduced and is perfect for smaller hands. impressive. This weight is achieved largely due to a The supplied frame was a “large” with a 56.5cm though the sensation is quite different from my own Aesthetically the Force groupset suits the look of sub-kilogram carbon-fibre frame and careful top tube. Normally this would be a cause of concern bike (a Merckx 3XM) the ride feels very familiar. the frame graphics, although I think any ensemble component selection. Even though price has been for me but after some minor adjustments the Xelius Road feedback is constant through the bars yet is could look good on the Lapierre. Force has a considered there is little evidence of compromise in was an easy fit. Furthermore, a small consideration not jarring or uncomfortable. I could liken it to the clunkier sound and feeling than its big Red brother The matching of the Easton EC90 The angle of this photo provides a hint SRAM Rival brakes don’t match the component function and quality. for the 175mm cranks was needed when adjusting suspension of a good touring sports car: the frame but functionality and performance are essentially SL fork to the frame is seamless. of why there’s a composed feel and labels of the Force components, but The Easton cockpit and seatpost complement the seat height. A glance at the San Marco Aspide provides all the information needed to make small the same. Other than a small difference on the Handling is direct and confident. Only dampening of the rear triangle. The complement the frame colour without reg Chalberg reg a small logo inside each fork blade tapered contours sweep to a bulbous issue. Plenty of carbon strengthens g : : EC90 SL fork. The groupset is where things get a saddle made me apprehensive as I usually lean to the adjustments when descending into corners but has scales, the Force group more than holds its own in displays the fork manufacturer brand. triangular section in the middle. the brake attachment area. OTOS H little eclectic. The SRAM Force drivetrain is matched cushy end of the spectrum, and the Aspide appears the suppleness to be comfortable on longer rides. terms of drivetrain performance on the road. >> p 222 #55 #55 223 ON REVIEW >> As mentioned, the saddle remained on the bike for the duration of the test. A sign of good design... or just an unexpected match. HAUTE Greg Chalberg and I are different sorts of riders but share a similar bike size and set-up.